The Texans didn’t leave their preseason opener with a win, but they did leave with a glimpse of something worth watching.
Rookie tight end Marlin Klein wasted no time making his presence felt against the Los Angeles Chargers last week. On the game’s first snap, Davis Mills hit Klein for a 31-yard gain, and that one play was enough to turn heads and stir some buzz about what Klein could become for Houston.
He didn’t get a heavy workload, and that fits the bigger picture. Klein figures to be an important part of what the Texans want to do on offense, so the staff didn’t need to show everything right away. Even in limited action, though, he found ways to matter.
What stands out most is how he fits the role Houston needs. The Texans want a tight end who can handle blocking duties and help in the run game, and Klein checked that box in a solid way. That kind of reliability gives him a real chance to carve out a role early.
Dalton Schultz remains the starter, so Klein is clearly working behind him. Still, the Texans should have him on the field this season, and he brings a different kind of energy to the tight end room.
Houston’s defense is strong enough to keep the team afloat for much of the year, but the offense needs to do its part too. If Klein’s preseason debut is any indication, the Texans may have found a piece that helps move that side of the ball in a better direction than it was in 2025.
In Other News...
Texans Suddenly Have A C.J. Stroud Camp Concern They Cant Ignore
Jayden Higgins had become one of the more interesting names in the Texans receiver mix after flashing as a rookie with 41 catches, 525 yards and six touchdowns, so any interruption to his training camp routine is going to draw attention quickly. Houston is still in the early stages of sorting out the wideout rotation around C.J. Stroud, and Higgins had been working to build on the promise he showed last season.
The concern arrived when Higgins was forced out of practice early and the Texans were left waiting for clarity on what comes next. DeMeco Ryans did not offer an immediate update, which only adds to the uncertainty as Houston evaluates the situation and looks for a sense of how serious the issue might be. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Right Tackle Battle Just Put More Focus On The Raiders Game
The Texans second preseason depth chart did not bring much drama elsewhere, but the biggest unresolved spot remains easy to spot: right tackle. Trent Brown and Braden Smith are still competing for the job, and with Houston heading into its preseason game against the Raiders, the focus has shifted to how that battle looks in live action rather than on a chart.
DeMeco Ryans has said both linemen could see playing time in the matchup, which makes the game another checkpoint in a competition that still has not produced a clear answer. For a team trying to settle its offensive line before the games start to count, the position is still open enough that every snap against Las Vegas matters a little more. [Read more 🡒]
Texans Are Turning NRG Into A Bigger Game Day Destination
The Texans are trying to make NRG Stadium feel like more than just a place to watch football this fall. The team announced a fresh round of food and beverage additions for the upcoming NFL season, with 80 new menu items set to give fans more to choose from, including protein-packed bowls and fusion dishes that should broaden the stadiums appeal beyond the usual game-day staples.
There is also a new premium layer coming to the building, highlighted by a 6,000-square-foot BMW Lone Star Ballroom and an exclusive experience called the BMW M Club Blue. Even with the upgrades, the Texans are keeping prices on some standard items unchanged, a move that should matter to fans who want a better game-day experience without feeling squeezed every time they head to the concession stand. [Read more 🡒]